more than one microsoft account uses the email:

Zharkov Lillie 0 Reputation points
2026-03-24T06:37:07.2166667+00:00

Noticed that my Microsoft Learn account used one of my aliases that was previously my logon account information. I had changed my logon to my full name and set it to be the only log in. (Alt ID)

Now when revisiting Microsoft Learn my full name logon has created a net new account and none of my previous credits and badges are showing. need to link my ******@outlook.com linked to my full name logon.

Making matters more fun I get Choose an Account, more than one Microsoft account uses the email "******@outlook.com" and there are three to choose from. Only one of them makes sense however this needs clarity as it was at a previous company on GCC+ 365.

Far as I remember there can only be one email address in the system however as Microsoft buys out other business where I already have accounts this causes a headache like LinkedIn. i had to rebuild my profile to stop this login loop.

This is IDAM that I'd need resolved as I do receive a lot of confidential emails examples: passport and drivers license to ******@outlook.com this has been in play since 2006.

thanks in advance.

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  1. AI answer

    2026-03-24T06:37:31.22+00:00

    The sign-in prompt and the separate Microsoft Learn profile are caused by having multiple Microsoft accounts and aliases that share the same email address. These accounts cannot be merged, but the sign-in experience and which account uses a given email can be controlled.

    Key points from the behavior described:

    • There is at least one personal Microsoft account and at least one work/school (Entra ID) account that use the same email address.
    • Microsoft Learn progress is tied to one specific Microsoft account identity; signing in with a different account (even if it uses the same email) creates a separate, empty Learn profile.

    To stabilize sign-in and align Learn with the correct account, use these steps:

    1. Understand why “Which account do you want to use?” appears
      When the same email address exists as both:
      • a Personal account (Microsoft account / Outlook.com), and
      • a Work or school account (created by an organization in Microsoft Entra ID), the sign-in page must ask which one to use. This is expected when organizations create work accounts that match an existing personal address.
    2. Decide which account should own the Learn profile
      • Sign in to Microsoft Learn using the account that previously held the badges/credits (likely the original alias that was used before changing the primary sign-in).
      • Confirm that this account is the one that should continue to own the Learn history.
    3. Rename or adjust aliases on the personal Microsoft account
      To reduce confusion and avoid the “Which account” prompt, change how the personal account uses the email address:
      • Go to Manage how you sign in for the Microsoft account and either:
        • Set a different alias as primary, or
        • Add a new alias and make that the primary sign-in.
      Steps:
      1. Open the Manage how you sign in page for the Microsoft account.
      2. Under account aliases, use Add email to add a new alias if needed.
      3. Select Make primary next to the alias that should be the main sign-in.
      4. Optionally, select Remove next to any alias that should no longer be associated with this account (being careful with Outlook/Hotmail/MSN aliases—removal is permanent).
      Notes:
      • Aliases share the same mailbox, contacts, and settings; any alias can be used to sign in unless disabled.
      • The primary alias is what appears on devices and in many sign-in prompts.
    4. Avoid removing critical Outlook.com aliases unintentionally
      • If an alias from a Microsoft domain such as @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, @live.com, or @msn.com is removed, it is permanently deleted and cannot be attached to any Microsoft account again.
      • Before removing anything, ensure that the alias is not the one receiving important mail (such as the confidential messages mentioned).
    5. If a work/school tenant is using the same email
      • Where a work or school organization has created an account using the same email address (for example, a previous employer’s tenant), that organization controls that work/school identity.
      • To stop conflicts caused by that organization’s account, contact that organization’s IT and request removal of that identity if it is no longer needed.
    6. Handling multiple accounts that share the same email
      • Multiple Microsoft accounts cannot be merged. Purchases, data, and Learn history cannot be combined into a single account.
      • The most that can be done is:
        • Close unneeded Microsoft accounts after moving their aliases off them, and
        • Reassign an email address as an alias on the primary account that should remain.
    7. Change or manage email/phone on the main Microsoft account
      If additional email addresses or phone numbers are needed for verification or sign-in:
      1. Sign in to the Microsoft account’s Your info page.
      2. Choose Add email, Add phone number, or Remove next to existing entries as appropriate.

    After these steps, continue to sign in to Microsoft Learn only with the chosen primary Microsoft account (and its aliases). This will ensure that the same Learn profile with existing badges and credits is used consistently.


    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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